“For over 150 years, every president has dreamed of a White House ballroom,” no one had ever written until Donald Trump posted a proclamation on his Truth Social platform on Monday.
president's plans To build a place that most Americans associate with Disney princesses, the von Trapp family nights and the “let 'em eat the cake” dynasties became a reality this week as construction crews began demolishing the East Wing of the White House to build the 90,000-square-foot, $300 million Trump Ballroom ($100 million more than the estimate previously given on this week). Once completed, the building will dwarf the main White House and will have nearly twice the square footage of the executive residence.
The first photographs and footage of heavy equipment demolition of parts of the East Wing That drew sharp reactions Monday from historians, conservationists, politicians and ordinary people, all of whom took umbrage at the administration's unilateral decision to alter the 224-year-old official residence of the presidents, which dates back to John Adams.
Before construction of the ballroom in the East Wing of the White House, demolition took place.
(Evan Vucci/Associated Press)
The nonprofit National Trust for Historic Preservation has asked the administration to delay further demolition until plans for the ballroom go through the public review process, arguing that the massive addition would “crush the White House itself.” Late night host Stephen Colbert took the opportunity to point out another example of institutional destruction: “We're only nine months into Trump's presidency and he's already saying, 'Hulk smash!' about the White House. Last time it took at least four years to get a demonstration group to the Capitol,” he said, referring to the Jan. 6 insurrection.
IN official statement On its website, the White House blamed protests over the demolition of Trump's East Wing on a Democratic overreaction. “In the latest case of manufactured outrage, crazed leftists and their fake news allies are clutching their pearls over President Donald Trump's visionary construction of a grand, privately funded ballroom at the White House—a bold, necessary addition that echoes the commanders-in-chief's storied history of improvements and additions to preserve executive residence as a beacon of American excellence.”
As if anyone other than Trump – or the billionaires donating to his project – could afford pearls at this point. Trump says his ballroom is privately funded by “many generous patriots, great American companies and, yours truly,” and that the burden of building his luxury project will not fall on taxpayers. This is good because the bottom 90% is almost exhausted.
Americans are struggling to maintain financial health. Wage growth has slowed How are prices for basic necessities? keep climbing despite Trump's campaign promises to combat inflation in 2024. US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that from August 2024 to August 2025, prices for meat, poultry, fish and eggs rose 5.6%, soft drinks rose 4.6%, and prices for fruits and vegetables rose 1.9%. Although gasoline prices fell, the cost of electricity rose 6.2% and the price of natural gas rose 13.8%. Other notable price increases include health care (3.4%) and auto insurance (4.7%). But who needs lighting, warmth or health when you need to build ballrooms?
Renderings of the site released by the White House look suspiciously like the gilded ballroom at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's private home and club in Palm Beach, Florida, with its gilded ceilings, imposing columns and ornate chandeliers.
The Oval Office and the Executive Office had already been redesigned in Trump's image, with numerous portraits, busts and glittering gold embellishments added. The bathroom next to the Lincoln Bedroom was also reportedly remodeled, but how does it compare to the now-infamous Mar-a-Lago restroom with its crystal fixtures, marble floors and stacks of drawers containing classified documents?
Addressing GOP senators at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said, “You can probably hear the beautiful sound of construction behind you… When I hear that sound, it reminds me of money.” At least he was honest.
The White House has declined to provide details about exactly who is funding the ballroom, and the opaque response has raised concerns that the project could serve as a paid opportunity for those looking to curry favor with the administration. The only known donor to date was listed in court documents. YouTube plans to pay the project $22 million as part of its agreement with Trump to block his account following the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol.
Trump expects the ballroom to be completed before his deadline, he says. But will he leave behind the glass slipper?
